Sacramento Streetcar
Proposed tram line in California
4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gaugeRoute map | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project[1] is a proposed 1.5-mile (2.4 km) streetcar line intended to connect West Sacramento to Sacramento's downtown business districts and the greater transportation network. The project is being undertaken by a consortium including the City of Sacramento, the City of West Sacramento, the Yolo County Transportation District, and the Sacramento Regional Transit District.
Planning
Downtown/Riverfront Streetcar Original Proposal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Legend | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cancelled | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This diagram:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2008 West Sacramento voters passed Measures U and V, a raise in sales tax dedicated to streetcar funding.[2] At the time, the streetcar was envisioned as a 4.4-mile (7.1 km) line running from Midtown to West Sacramento.[3] While distinct from the RT Light Rail system, it would have shared some right-of-way and assets with that system; RT would likely also operate the line.[4] If built, the service was expected to attract 5,800 daily riders.[5]
The project received $50 million from the federal government for construction in May 2017.[6] By June 2017, $200 million in local, state, and federal grants had been secured to build the streetcar line. A special district that includes businesses close to the streetcar agreed to a tax to offset operating costs; it was expected to generate $50 million over 25 years.[7]
Plans stalled in 2019 as construction bids came in significantly higher than expected, with the lowest bid at $184 million, or $76 million higher than anticipated.[8] The Sacramento City Council dissolved its special-use district dedicated to streetcar maintenance in August 2019.[2]
After failure of the initial plan, the line was retooled into a shorter 1.5-mile (2.4 km) route running from Sacramento Valley Station to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento via Tower Bridge with one additional stop.[3] The revised alignment would have inbound streetcars turn south at 3rd Street after the Tower Bridge and then turn west along N Street to join the existing light rail tracks towards Sacramento Valley Station.[9] SacRT plans to operate the service using a single Siemens S700 car, the same vehicle that is used on existing SacRT light rail service.[10] As of 2020[update] the plan requires updating environmental documents,[1] additional funding from host cities, and FTA approval.[11]
See also
References
- ^ a b "STAFF REPORT" (PDF). SacRT. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ a b Hamann, Emily (14 August 2019). "Streetcar backers searching for alternative projects, uses for funds". Sacramento Business Journal. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- ^ a b Rhee, Foon (17 September 2020). "Streetcar to nowhere?". Sacramento News & Review. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ Bizjak, Tony (26 April 2016). "Sacramento streetcar proponents are back with pricier plan". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- ^ Environmental Assessment/Initial Study and Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project (PDF) (Report). Sacramento Area Council of Governments. May 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ Khalil, Joe (2 May 2017). "Sacramento Streetcar Project Gets $50 Million in Federal Funding". KTXL. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ Lillis and Bizjak (21 June 2017). "A streetcar tax just passed in Sacramento". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- ^ Bizjak, Tony (14 January 2019). "Sacramento streetcar project in serious jeopardy as price tag soars". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ Haubner, Andrew (August 9, 2022). "SacRT approves new plan for West Sacramento streetcar line". CBS Sacramento. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "Sacramento Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project". Sacramento Regional Transit. April 24, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Clift, Theresa (15 September 2020). "New light rail line over Tower Bridge between Sacramento, West Sacramento moves forward". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
External links
- Downtown / Riverfront Streetcar
- City of Sacramento Streetcar Site
- West Sacramento Streetcar Site
 Sacramento Regional Transit District | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Management | |||
| Bus System | |||
| RT Light Rail |
| ||
| Other |
| ||
